Kenosha Pass Snowshoe

Saturday had started a bit on the slow side but once I got moving the plan was to go and find some snow, a rarity in Front Range these days. Originally, I was thinking about heading to the Geneva Basin Ski Area, an abandoned ski resort once owned by Roy Romer, the former governor of Colorado. However, with a late start, those plans had to be put on hold. So, onto Kenosha Pass and the Colorado Trail.

Upon arriving at Kenosha Pass, my intentions were to trek on the Platte Canyon side of the Colorado Trail. However, upon surveying the lack of snow leading to the trailhead, I had chosen to hike the South Park trail.

Technically, snowshoes were not required. At the top of the pass where there should be several feet of snow, there was little to none where sun exposure is at it fullest. What a strange and crazy winter. The trail itself is located just to the left of the campground, though one could wander through the campground and gain access on the north side. The trail winds steadily uphill through aspen and a variety of pine trees.

Shortly into the trek, when looking east, you are able to see the Twin Cone Peaks. Mt Evans, further to the north, is obscured by the tree line. At the mile and a half mark you will come upon a wooden bench positioned perfectly as to over look the South Park Valley. I am certain the sunsets are amazing from this vantage point. Looking across the valley and down range you’re able to view Boreas Mountain and Mt Guyot. I would like to believe that on clear day you may able to see Quandry Peak and maybe even Peak 10 in Breckenridge. At this point, I could have continued my journey down into the valley along the Colorado Trail to Copper Mountain and beyond. The Colorado Trail is approximately 500 miles in length starting at its eastern trailhead in Waterton Canyon south of Morrison and terminating in the southwest at the Junction Creek trailhead near Durango. After taking a few more pictures and seeing what weather appeared to be moving in from the north, I began to retrace my steps back to Kenosha Pass.

The hike was a nice escape for a few hours. With no significant snow forecasted in the near term, I am uncertain how much longer the snow on the trail will stick around. But if we were to get a storm or two to dump a few feet on the pass I would return with Stella and Aspen to explore a bit more of the trail.